Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F663 returned 90 results.
SWIECONKA
EVERY YEAR ON HOLY SATURDAY, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY TAKES AN EASTER BASKET FULL OF FOOD, USUALLY
HAM, BREAD AND BUTTER, MIXED SALT AND PEPPER, HORSE
RADISH, AND SOME COLORED EGGS, TO CHURCH WHERE IT
IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. ON EASTER SUNDAY, THIS
BLESSED FOOD IS SERVED AT THE MAIN MEAL. BEFORE IT IS
SERVED, HOWEVER, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, USUALLY
THE GRANDFATHER, CUTS UP THE BLESSED EGGS AND SERVES
A PIECE TO EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, WHILE WISHING
THAT MEMBER A HAPPY EASTER. EACH MEMBER THEN EXCHANGES
WISHES WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS BY MEANS OF A KISS OR
A HANDSHAKE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT AGAIN HAD MERELY TO FILL IN DETAILS AND
SUPPLY THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE NAME SWIECONKA,
FOR THIS TRADITION IS ALSO VERY MUCH ALIVE IN OUR
FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 01-08-1964
PLANTING CUSTOM
AT PLANTING TIME, YOU EXCHANGE SEEDLINGS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR BUT
DO NOT PLANT THEM UNTIL A SIGNAL IS GIVEN BY THE RAIN PEOPLE, WHO ARE
THOSE WISE MEN WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM
DURING HOLY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE
DRESS BOTH DAYS IN BLACK AND DO NOT LEAVE THEIR HOMES. FOOD IS PREPA
RED ON WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK AND NO WORK IS DONE ON THOSE TWO DAYS.
PREPARED
Submitter comment: A PRACTICE FROM THE INFORMANT'S HOMETOWN OF SABINAS IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM
(IN COLLECTOR'S OWN WORDS) PEOPLE WHO DO NOT OBSERVE A TRADITIONALLY
QUIET HOLY WEEK WILL BE CURSED.
Submitter comment: INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM FORMER SABINAS, MEXICO RESIDENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 12-00-1981
TRADITION
"TAKING PEOPLE OUT" IS A LONG TRADITION AT THE SAINT FRANCIS CLUB,
AN ALL-MALE SOCIAL COOPERATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT. TAKING
SOMEONE OUT REFERS TO TAKING A MEMBER OUT INTO THE COURTYARD AND
DUMPING COLD WATER ON HIM. THIS IS DONE ONLY TO MEMBERS FOR SUCH
OCCASIONS AS BIRTHDAYS OR WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING STUPID AT
DINNER. IT IS ALWAYS DONE IN WARM WEATHER AND IN FUN. AT TIMES
ALMOST EVERYONE AT DINNER WILL GO OUT, SUCH AS THE FIRST NICE DAY
IN THE SPRING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BACK THIS GOES, BUT IT HAS BEEN
DONE FOR YEARS BEFORE I JOINED THE CLUB IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
SAGINAW LUMBERMEN
THE LUMBERMEN WOULD STAY OUT IN THE WOODS IN THE WINTERTIME AND
WORK. THEY CAME INTO TOWN IN THE SPRING AND WOULD RAISE HELL IN
TOWN. THEY WOULD HAVE TERRIBLE FIGHTS, SOMETIMES THEY WOULD
GOUGE EACH OTHERS EYES OUT, AND BITE OFF OPPONENT'S EARS AND
NOSES. THESE FIGHTS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM DISGUSTED ME, BUT I GUESS THAT'S THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR
THE LUMBERMEN PRACTICES. THEY APPARENTLY TOOK OUT ALL THEIR
AGGRESSIONS ONCE THEY GOT TO TOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
WELSH SAINT DAVID'S DAY CELEBRATION
MARCH FIRST IS CELEBRATED AS SAINT DAVID'S DAY IN
SWANSEA, WALES. THE CHILDREN DRESS IN TRADITIONAL WELSH
CLOTHING. WOMEN WEAR DAFFODILS AND MEN WEAR LEEKS ON THEIR
PERSON IN ORDER TO REPRESENT THE COMING OF SPRING. THE
ENTIRE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES AND FEASTS THROUGHOUT THE
DAY AND WELL INTO THE EVENING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WITNESSED THE CELEBRATION IN 1978 WHILE
VISITING WALES WITH HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
ARGENTINIAN HALLOWEEN
IN ARGENTINA, EL DIA DE CARNIVAL IS A DAY LIKE HALLOWEEN.
IT IS ONE WEEK LONG IN LATE SPRING.
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A HALLOWEEN LIKE THE UNITED STATES BUT
EVERYONE DRESSES UP IN VARIOUS COSTUMES AND THEN THEY PARADE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY. THE WHOLE CITY PARADES AROUND IN
THEIR COSTUMES. THERE ARE ALSO ORGANIZED CLUBS WHICH PARADE DOWN
THE STREETS WITH THE LEADERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE CITY. HAVING
WATER FIGHTS AND SHAVING CREAM FIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY
IS ALSO A PART OF THE CELEBRATION.
THIS TAKES PLACE ONE WEEK LONG IN LATE SPRING.
Where learned: SOUTH AMERICA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
"DID THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE ANY FESTIVALS?"
"THEY HAD ONLY TWO FESTIVALS. THE FIRST CAME IN THE SPRING
WHEN THE ICE MELTED. DURING THE WINTER, ALL THE LOGS HAD BEEN
BROUGHT BY SLEIGH TO THE RIVER BANK. THEN IN THE SPRING THEY
WOULD DUMP THE LOGS IN THE RIVER, AND FLOAT THEM DOWN THE
STREAM TO A LUMBER MILL, WHERE THAY WERE SAWED INTO LUMBER.
AFTER ALL THIS WORK WAS DONE, THE LUMBERJACKS AND THEIR
FAMILIES WOULD HAVE A BIG CELEBRATION. THERE WOULD BE LOG-
ROLLING, LOG CLIMBING, LOG CUTTING, AND AXE THROWING CONTESTS
DURING THE DAY, AND SQUARE DANCING AND OTHER PARTY FESTIVITIES
AT NIGHT. THE OTHER FESTIVAL WOULD BE THE FOURTH OF JULY.
ON THIS HOLIDAY THEY WOULD HAVE FIREWORKS AND A PARTY DURING
NIGHT. BESIDES FOR THESE TWO DAYS, THERE WERE NO OTHER
HOLIDAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00001930S
BRAZILIAN HOLIDAY
"CARNIVAL DAY" IN BRAZIL IS LIKE OUR HALLOWEEN.
KIDS AND ADULTS PARTICIPATE BY PAINTING EACH OTHER'S
FACES DURING THE DAY AND PLAYING TRICKS OR PRANKS.
AT NIGHT THERE ARE PARTIES TO ATTEND. THIS HOLIDAY
TAKES PLACE EVERY THIRD SATURDAY IN THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL
ON CORPUS CHRISTI WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PARADE THAT STARTED
AT THE CHURCH AND PROGRESSED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO
ALTARS SET UP ON THE PORCHES OF PEOPLE IN THE PARISH.
THE FAMILY CHOSEN TO HAVE THE ALTAR DECORATED THE HOUSE
ON THE OUTSIDE WITH FLOWERS, LOTS AND LOTS OF FLOWERS - MY
MOTHER USED TO CUT DOWN HER WHOLE BED OF PEONIES AND BRING
THE FLOWERS TO THE CHURCH; THEY REALLY NEEDED AS MANY AS
THEY COULD GET. THE ALTAR WAS JUST A STURDY TABLE COVERED,
AND THERE WERE FLOWERS ALL AROUND. THE MEN CUT BRANCHES OFF
TREES AND NAILED THEM UP TO MAKE A GREEN BACKGROUND. ANYWAY,
THE PROCESSION STARTED AT THE CHURCH, STOPPED AT EACH
ALTAR AROUND THAT BLOCK, AND ENDED AT A CHAPEL. THE PARADE
WAS A MASS, AND A DIFFERENT PART OF THE MASS WAS SAID AT
EACH ALTAR. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WAS CARRIED IN THE PARADE,
AND THE PRIESTS LED IT WITH THE SERVERS WHO CARRIED CANDLES.
BEHIND THEM, THE CHILDREN MAKING THEIR FIRST COMMUNIONS WALKED
IN THEIR DRESSES AND VEILS AND SUITS. THEN CAME THE CHURCH
CLUBS, AND THE REST OF US GOT TO WALK IN THE REAR. EVERYONE
SANG WITH THE CHOIR AS WE WALKED FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND
THE LINE WAS SO LONG THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE END WOULD BE
LAGGING IN THE SONG, OUT OF PACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
BLACK AMERICAN
IF THERE IS ENOUGH RAIN ON EASTER SUNDAY
TO WET A POCKET HANKERCHIEF, THERE WILL
BE A GOOD CROP YEAR.
I USED TO HEAR MY GRANDMOTHER SAY THIS.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
FOR EASTER, THE BELGIANS EAT RABBIT. THE RABBIT
PIECES ARE BROWNED IN BUTTER IN A CAST IRON POT.
STEWING VEGETABLES ARE PUT IN WITH ONE BOTTLE OF WINE.
THE MEAT AND VEGETABLES ARE STEWED (COOKED IN ITS JUICES
ON TOP OF THE STOVE FOR A LONG TIME OVER A LOW HEAT,) UNTIL
THE MEAT IS SOFT. THE JUICES MAKE A WINE FLAVORED GRAVY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals Food Drink -- Meat Wild animal |
Date learned: 12-05-1985
BLESSED FOOD
ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE DAY BEFORE
EASTER, MY MOTHER WOULD PREPARE A BASKET
OF FOOD THAT WE WOULD TAKE TO CHURCH TO
HAVE BLESSED. THERE WERE CERTAIN ITEMS
THAT WERE ALWAYS INCLUDED IN THE BASKET:
SEVERAL SLICES OF THE EASTER HAM (HOT
OUT OF THE OVEN), A SMALL, ROUND LOAF
OF PUMPERNICKEL BREAD (MADE SPECIAL
FOR THE BASKET), A RING OF FRESH KIELBASA
(FRESH, NOT SMOKED), SIX HARD BOILED EGGS
(WITH THE SHELLS REMOVED), BUTTER (MADE IN
THE FORM OF A LAMB) AND SALT AND PEPPER
(MIXED TOGETHER IN A SPECIAL SALT SHAKER
THAT WAS ONLY USED FOR THIS OCCASION--
N-E-V-E-R AT ANY OTHER TIME DURING THE YEAR.
THE WICKER BASKET AND SPECIAL COVERING TOWEL
(THAT MY MOTHER HAD EMBROIDERED MANY YEARS
BEFORE WERE USED TO CARRY THE FOOD TO CHURCH.
THIS FOOD WAS EATEN ON EASTER MORNING WHEN WE
RETURNED HOME FROM CHURCH (ALONG WITH MORE FOOD
SINCE THE BLESSED FOOD WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT
FOR OUR FAMILY). EVERY BIT OF THE BLESSED FOOD
HAD TO BE EATEN AT THE BREAKFAST--NOT A CRUMB
COULD BE THROWN AWAY.
Submitter comment:
GOING INTO OUR POLISH CHURCH ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON
WAS WONDERFUL. THE SMELL OF HAM AND KIELBASA WOULD
FILL THE CHURCH. THE PEOPLE WOULD SET THEIR
BASKETS IN THE AISLE AT THE END OF THEIR PEW AND
THE PRIEST WOULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE AISLE
SPRINKLING HOLY WATER. EVERYONE WOULD BE HUNGRY
FOR THE FOOD, BUT WE COULD NOT EAT MEAT ON THAT
DAY!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THE DAY AFTER EASTER (MONDAY) IS
"DINGUS DAY," OR "SWITCHING DAY"
WHEN THE BOYS WOULD RUN AFTER THE
GIRLS AND HIT THEIR LEGS WITH
SWITCHES (LONG BRANCHES).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
After Easter throw wheat so that there will be a
good harvest. You should also throw wheat inside
your home to insure that you will have bread to
eat in the coming year. This was important
because most people worked on the farm and this
was their only income, so a bad crop was
disastrous.
Submitter comment:
Mrs. Wojtan grew up in Kansas on a farm with over
forty acres of wheat. Before the depression this
was the only income. This was practiced every
year and she believed that it worked.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00001920S
At Easter my great grandmother would make
large cookies in the form of boys and girls
with a hard-boiled egg on the stomach. These
were called "figololi" and were supposed to
bring you good luck if you ate them. My
great grandmother was born in Malta and moved
to Detroit.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001920S
In England myrtle is considered lucky. In Wales
myrtle is planted on each side of a home to
insure love & to keep the atmosphere peaceful.
Submitter comment: Many people still consider myrtle a sign of peace.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): nature, beauty
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
When my mother was approximately 10 years old she was told by
her mother that white shoes were never to be worn before Memorial
Day or after Labor Day. My mother, in turn, told the same thing
to my sister and I as we grew up and to this day we still follow
the rule of the white shoes.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1950
PA TAUGHT US TO PLANT THE ROWS OF OUR GARDENS SO THAT
THEY RAN NORTH AND SOUTH TO GET ALL THE GOOD SUN ON
BOTH SIDES OF THE PLANTS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD AT HOME FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 03-10-1967